Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
This is pretty cool...
Vintage High Times Ad....good idea here, I wonder if someone manufactures anything similar nowadays?
Friday, December 16, 2011
Hardboiled Italian Noir Films
Big fan of this genre, here's some background info and a list of movies to check out. Some of my favorites are Almost Human, Gang War in Milan, Violent Naples and The Cynic, The Rat, and The Fist. If I ever came up on enough money I'd love to start collecting OG movie posters for these flicks and other horror/giallo flicks.
What Is Poliziotteschi?
Poliziotteschi is the Italian subgenre of crime/action cinema that became popular in the late 1960s through to the early 1980s. The term "poliziotteschi" is derived from "polizia" the Italian word for police and "esco" i.e. "esque" in American language. They are also commonly referred to as Italo-Crime and Euro-Crime films. The word "Poliziottesco" in particular represents specifically the 1970s crime/police actioners. Regular components featured in these films included: over the top violence, car/motorcycle chases, heists, shootouts. The subgenre's plots and stories usually involved police procedurals, mafia wars, as well as political corruption within Italy's big cities like Naples, Milan, Torino and Rome.
During the mid to late 1960s, Italian cinema was highly visible due to the popularity of its new spaghetti western genre. Yet, by the start of the 1970s, the spaghettis were beginning to get repetitive and derivative. The Italians, who were known to not rest on their cinematic laurels for long, picked things up by moving into other "pulp" genres, including giallo cinema, macaroni combat films which were followed immediately by the poliziotteschi.
Influences
"They [crime films] were really the same as the westerns, they just substituted cars for horses/carriages and switched the clothing" - Actor Tomas Milian talking about the similarities between spaghetti westerns and polizio genre films.
The genre's roots laid in a group of crime movies that were the forerunners to the genuine 70s polizio explosion. The most reknown being Giuliano Montaldo's caper film Grand Slam (1967), Mino Guerrini's Gangster '70 (196, Carlo Lizzani's Bandits in Milan (known in the US as The Violent Four) (196, and Un Detective (1969). It should be noted that Director Damiano Damiani who was known for dealing with political themes in genre stories as seen in the spaghetti western A Bullet For The General (1967) directed two movies starring Franco Nero (who would go on to work in the polizio genre with other directors). The films were Il Giorno Della Civetta (aka The Day of The Owl) (196 and Confessions of a Police Captain (1971).
What became the hard edged, action packed, potboiler polizio films were actually influenced not by their Italian heritage, but specifically by the popular American crime films of the day, most notably Don Siegel's edgy urban thriller Dirty Harry (1971) starring Clint Eastwood (who, incidentally was the icon who starred in the first true spaghetti western A Fistful of Dollars). Taking inspiration from the rebellious Dirty Harry Callahan character, Italian genre director extraordinnaire Enzo G. Castellari chose his own leading man Franco Nero, previously known to audiences as the mysterious spaghetti western anti-hero Django. In that film, Nero had been Director Sergio Corbucci's answer to his friend Sergio Leone's Man With No Name character played by none other than...Clint Eastwood. As you can see, the actors and directors from the USA and Italy seemed to influence one another respectively.
Other popular American films that had a large impact on The Italian polizio films included classics like Francis Ford Coppola's mafia epic The Godfather (1972), William Friedkin's crime thriller The French Connection (1973) and Sidney Lumet's police corruption themed biopic Serpico (1973). All these Hollywood studio films gave the Italians a blueprint, if you will, as to how to approach their own genre stories which would actually turn out to be wilder, bloodier and even more outrageous.
Fernando Di Leo: Maestro of Violence
Before directing his own films, Fernando DiLeo was a screenwriter who had worked in large part on spaghetti westerns, starting with Sergio Leone and his Dollars films. He then moved onto writing other classics of the genre such as Lucio Fulci's Massacre Time (1966), Johnny Yuma (1966) and Navajo Joe (1966). DiLeo's first crime script was for Gangster '70, which starred Joseph Cotten. After directing the giallo Slaughter Hotel, DiLeo made his polizio debut with Milano Calibro 9. In the film, Gastone Moschin plays Ugo Piazza, a low level mafia member who has just been released from jail. Ugo has immediately come under the watch of his old mafia aqquaintance Rocco (Mario Adorf) when the main mafia boss suspects Ugo of stealing a large sum of money before his incarceration. Milano Calibro 9 is an explosively violent and very funny crime film. Right from the start, DiLeo made his own indelible mark on the genre, filling it with a grand, brutally operatic flavor. His follow up was La Mala Ordina (1972), in which Mario Adorf plays Luca Canali, a good hearted, low level mafia soldier who is wrongfully accused of stealing a drug shipment on its way from the US to Italy. The US mafia send two hitmen played by Henry Silva and Woody Strode to kill Luca. Luca, who is unaware of his predicament until its too late, is the scapegoat in the story and must try to evade everyone until he finds out who set him up. In Il Boss (1973) aka Wipeout! Henry Silva plays Nick Lanzetta, a tough mafia hitman who finds himself caught up in a war between families and which ultimately tests his allegiance to his mentor. Wipeout! is certainly one of DiLeo's best films in the genre and is filled with brutality, comedy and colorful characters. It is one of DiLeo's finest portrayals of life inside the mafia and the treachery and violence that hangs over it all. With Mr. Scarface (1976), the final installment of DiLeo's Milano Trilogy, there was a sense that the polizio genre was coming to a close. In the film, the main character is a loanshark's collector named Tony (Harry Baer) who is more like a freewheeling, bohemian college student than a grizzled mafia veteran. The main antagonist in the movie is "Scarface" as played by the great Jack Palance (who actually doesn't have alot of lines in the movie). The plot revolves around Tony and a new found friend Rick (Al Cliver), one of Scarface 's underlings who loses alot of cash during a game of craps in a local casino and must pay it back. Tony decides to help his friend deal with Scarface while he gets his own revenge for the murder of his father years earlier. The story provides a good amount of DiLeo style violence and thrills, but also showcases DiLeo's trademark snappy Italian humor as well. Interestingly, DiLeo's earlier films had a heavy rock score provided by composer Luis Enriquez Bacalov and the Italo rock group Osanna, this films music is very low key and sparse. The finale of the film has Tony and his two friends Rick and Peppi driving off together into a sunny future triumphantly after taking out Scarface and his minion.
Glamour Vs. Contempt
One of the main differences between American made mafia genre films and the Italian polizios was the aspect of showing the mafia for what it really was. Filled with corruption, treachery and mistrust. While Hollywood films like The Godfather made the mafia out to be mostly honorable and rather classy, the directors in Italy like Fernando DiLeo, Stelvio Massi, Enzo G. Castellari, Antonio Margheriti and others dealt with their own personal views on how the police and government as well as the leaders of the mafia really operated in their country. In the 1970s, the real Italian mafia clans were spreading terror throughout the cities. Killings and assassination attempts were a common thing during this time. This is why the mafiosi were shown for what they truly were: brutal, backstabbing scum who said they believed in loyalty and honor but were almost always giving in to desires that showed the exact opposite. The police were also not untouchable figures and were regularly portrayed as bumbling idiots with corrupted morals who had tendencies to be just as violent as the criminals they were pursuing.
Poliziotteschi Genre Classics
Grand Slam (Ad ogni costo, 1967)
Bandits in Milan (Banditi a Milano, 196
Violent City (Città violenta, 1970)
La polizia ringrazia (1972)
Milano Calibro 9 (1972)
Manhunt (La Mala Ordina, 1972)
Tony Arzenta (1973)
High Crime (La polizia incrimina la legge assolve, 1973)
The Violent Professionals (Milano trema - la polizia vuole giustizia, 1973)
Revolver (1973)
Il Boss (1973)
Gang War in Milan (Milano Rovente 1973)
Rabid Dogs (Cani arrabbiati, 1974)
Street Law (Il cittedino si ribella, 1974)
Almost Human (Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare, 1974)
Emergency Squad (Squadra Volante, 1974)
Syndicate Sadists (Il giustiziere sfida la città, 1975)
Violent Rome (Roma violenta, 1975)
Violent Naples (Napoli violenta, 1976)
The Cop in Blue Jeans (Squadra antiscippo, 1976)
The Big Racket (Il grande racket, 1976)
Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man (Uomini si nasce poliziotti si muore, 1976)
Rome Armed to the Teeth (Roma a mano armata, 1976)
The Cynic, the Rat & the Fist (Il cinico, l'infame, il violento, 1977)
La Banda del trucido (1977)
Heroin Busters (La Via Della Droga, 1977)
Convoy Busters (Un poliziotto scomodo, 197
La Banda Del Gobbo (197
From Corleone to Brooklyn (Da Corleone a Brooklyn, 1979)
Contraband (Luca il contrabbandiere, 1980)
Killer vs Killers (Killer Contro Killers, 1985)
What Is Poliziotteschi?
Poliziotteschi is the Italian subgenre of crime/action cinema that became popular in the late 1960s through to the early 1980s. The term "poliziotteschi" is derived from "polizia" the Italian word for police and "esco" i.e. "esque" in American language. They are also commonly referred to as Italo-Crime and Euro-Crime films. The word "Poliziottesco" in particular represents specifically the 1970s crime/police actioners. Regular components featured in these films included: over the top violence, car/motorcycle chases, heists, shootouts. The subgenre's plots and stories usually involved police procedurals, mafia wars, as well as political corruption within Italy's big cities like Naples, Milan, Torino and Rome.
During the mid to late 1960s, Italian cinema was highly visible due to the popularity of its new spaghetti western genre. Yet, by the start of the 1970s, the spaghettis were beginning to get repetitive and derivative. The Italians, who were known to not rest on their cinematic laurels for long, picked things up by moving into other "pulp" genres, including giallo cinema, macaroni combat films which were followed immediately by the poliziotteschi.
Influences
"They [crime films] were really the same as the westerns, they just substituted cars for horses/carriages and switched the clothing" - Actor Tomas Milian talking about the similarities between spaghetti westerns and polizio genre films.
The genre's roots laid in a group of crime movies that were the forerunners to the genuine 70s polizio explosion. The most reknown being Giuliano Montaldo's caper film Grand Slam (1967), Mino Guerrini's Gangster '70 (196, Carlo Lizzani's Bandits in Milan (known in the US as The Violent Four) (196, and Un Detective (1969). It should be noted that Director Damiano Damiani who was known for dealing with political themes in genre stories as seen in the spaghetti western A Bullet For The General (1967) directed two movies starring Franco Nero (who would go on to work in the polizio genre with other directors). The films were Il Giorno Della Civetta (aka The Day of The Owl) (196 and Confessions of a Police Captain (1971).
What became the hard edged, action packed, potboiler polizio films were actually influenced not by their Italian heritage, but specifically by the popular American crime films of the day, most notably Don Siegel's edgy urban thriller Dirty Harry (1971) starring Clint Eastwood (who, incidentally was the icon who starred in the first true spaghetti western A Fistful of Dollars). Taking inspiration from the rebellious Dirty Harry Callahan character, Italian genre director extraordinnaire Enzo G. Castellari chose his own leading man Franco Nero, previously known to audiences as the mysterious spaghetti western anti-hero Django. In that film, Nero had been Director Sergio Corbucci's answer to his friend Sergio Leone's Man With No Name character played by none other than...Clint Eastwood. As you can see, the actors and directors from the USA and Italy seemed to influence one another respectively.
Other popular American films that had a large impact on The Italian polizio films included classics like Francis Ford Coppola's mafia epic The Godfather (1972), William Friedkin's crime thriller The French Connection (1973) and Sidney Lumet's police corruption themed biopic Serpico (1973). All these Hollywood studio films gave the Italians a blueprint, if you will, as to how to approach their own genre stories which would actually turn out to be wilder, bloodier and even more outrageous.
Fernando Di Leo: Maestro of Violence
Before directing his own films, Fernando DiLeo was a screenwriter who had worked in large part on spaghetti westerns, starting with Sergio Leone and his Dollars films. He then moved onto writing other classics of the genre such as Lucio Fulci's Massacre Time (1966), Johnny Yuma (1966) and Navajo Joe (1966). DiLeo's first crime script was for Gangster '70, which starred Joseph Cotten. After directing the giallo Slaughter Hotel, DiLeo made his polizio debut with Milano Calibro 9. In the film, Gastone Moschin plays Ugo Piazza, a low level mafia member who has just been released from jail. Ugo has immediately come under the watch of his old mafia aqquaintance Rocco (Mario Adorf) when the main mafia boss suspects Ugo of stealing a large sum of money before his incarceration. Milano Calibro 9 is an explosively violent and very funny crime film. Right from the start, DiLeo made his own indelible mark on the genre, filling it with a grand, brutally operatic flavor. His follow up was La Mala Ordina (1972), in which Mario Adorf plays Luca Canali, a good hearted, low level mafia soldier who is wrongfully accused of stealing a drug shipment on its way from the US to Italy. The US mafia send two hitmen played by Henry Silva and Woody Strode to kill Luca. Luca, who is unaware of his predicament until its too late, is the scapegoat in the story and must try to evade everyone until he finds out who set him up. In Il Boss (1973) aka Wipeout! Henry Silva plays Nick Lanzetta, a tough mafia hitman who finds himself caught up in a war between families and which ultimately tests his allegiance to his mentor. Wipeout! is certainly one of DiLeo's best films in the genre and is filled with brutality, comedy and colorful characters. It is one of DiLeo's finest portrayals of life inside the mafia and the treachery and violence that hangs over it all. With Mr. Scarface (1976), the final installment of DiLeo's Milano Trilogy, there was a sense that the polizio genre was coming to a close. In the film, the main character is a loanshark's collector named Tony (Harry Baer) who is more like a freewheeling, bohemian college student than a grizzled mafia veteran. The main antagonist in the movie is "Scarface" as played by the great Jack Palance (who actually doesn't have alot of lines in the movie). The plot revolves around Tony and a new found friend Rick (Al Cliver), one of Scarface 's underlings who loses alot of cash during a game of craps in a local casino and must pay it back. Tony decides to help his friend deal with Scarface while he gets his own revenge for the murder of his father years earlier. The story provides a good amount of DiLeo style violence and thrills, but also showcases DiLeo's trademark snappy Italian humor as well. Interestingly, DiLeo's earlier films had a heavy rock score provided by composer Luis Enriquez Bacalov and the Italo rock group Osanna, this films music is very low key and sparse. The finale of the film has Tony and his two friends Rick and Peppi driving off together into a sunny future triumphantly after taking out Scarface and his minion.
Glamour Vs. Contempt
One of the main differences between American made mafia genre films and the Italian polizios was the aspect of showing the mafia for what it really was. Filled with corruption, treachery and mistrust. While Hollywood films like The Godfather made the mafia out to be mostly honorable and rather classy, the directors in Italy like Fernando DiLeo, Stelvio Massi, Enzo G. Castellari, Antonio Margheriti and others dealt with their own personal views on how the police and government as well as the leaders of the mafia really operated in their country. In the 1970s, the real Italian mafia clans were spreading terror throughout the cities. Killings and assassination attempts were a common thing during this time. This is why the mafiosi were shown for what they truly were: brutal, backstabbing scum who said they believed in loyalty and honor but were almost always giving in to desires that showed the exact opposite. The police were also not untouchable figures and were regularly portrayed as bumbling idiots with corrupted morals who had tendencies to be just as violent as the criminals they were pursuing.
Poliziotteschi Genre Classics
Grand Slam (Ad ogni costo, 1967)
Bandits in Milan (Banditi a Milano, 196
Violent City (Città violenta, 1970)
La polizia ringrazia (1972)
Milano Calibro 9 (1972)
Manhunt (La Mala Ordina, 1972)
Tony Arzenta (1973)
High Crime (La polizia incrimina la legge assolve, 1973)
The Violent Professionals (Milano trema - la polizia vuole giustizia, 1973)
Revolver (1973)
Il Boss (1973)
Gang War in Milan (Milano Rovente 1973)
Rabid Dogs (Cani arrabbiati, 1974)
Street Law (Il cittedino si ribella, 1974)
Almost Human (Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare, 1974)
Emergency Squad (Squadra Volante, 1974)
Syndicate Sadists (Il giustiziere sfida la città, 1975)
Violent Rome (Roma violenta, 1975)
Violent Naples (Napoli violenta, 1976)
The Cop in Blue Jeans (Squadra antiscippo, 1976)
The Big Racket (Il grande racket, 1976)
Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man (Uomini si nasce poliziotti si muore, 1976)
Rome Armed to the Teeth (Roma a mano armata, 1976)
The Cynic, the Rat & the Fist (Il cinico, l'infame, il violento, 1977)
La Banda del trucido (1977)
Heroin Busters (La Via Della Droga, 1977)
Convoy Busters (Un poliziotto scomodo, 197
La Banda Del Gobbo (197
From Corleone to Brooklyn (Da Corleone a Brooklyn, 1979)
Contraband (Luca il contrabbandiere, 1980)
Killer vs Killers (Killer Contro Killers, 1985)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
A youtube classic
The best comment:
"Just don't fight someone who does that stance in the first place. He either obviously knows what he's doing, or he's retarted. No one want to be known as "that guy who hit's special kids".
brandonfiend 1 day ago 50 "
lol
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Me and Mr. Jones
Been listening to Amy Winehouse-Back to Black a ton lately. I really like this song, it's been in and out of my head for the past few weeks.
Supposedly it's about Amy's friendship/relationship with Nas.
Supposedly it's about Amy's friendship/relationship with Nas.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Rolling Tips
An interesting and informative post I found on a forum that may be of interest to some people:
"Preloading and Postloading with MDMA
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is thought to be potentially neurotoxic due to free radicals (atoms or molecules which have an unpaired electron) created as a result of the neurological actions of MDMA. The neurotoxicity of MDMA is still being debated. There are many studies which conclude that MDMA is neurotoxic (the extent of which is determined by dose, rate of use, and other factors), and there are probably just as many studies which conclude that it is not. The neurotoxicity of MDMA is still a theory, as exactly how MDMA works is also not known. Until a legitimately conclusive study is published, users must decide for themselves. Either way, because there is strong evidence that MDMA is potentially neurotoxic, it is a good idea to practice some sort of harm reduction. A great technique to combat possible unwanted acute and chronic neurological, emotional, and/or physical detoriation of the mind and body is called loading.
Loading in the context of MDMA use is the practice of taking natural or synthetic supplements before (pre-loading), during, and/or after (post-loading) an MDMA session in order to better prepare your mind and body for the experience.
The most widely accepted theory for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity concerns damage caused by dopamine, a neurotransmitter which plays a huge part in attention, motor function, and pleasure, among many others. The euphoria experienced during an MDMA session is caused by an increase in the release of serotonin, another neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep cycles, and more. MDMA's mechanism of action is complicated to anyone unfamiliar with general neuroscience, and again is not fully understood, but the end result of ingesting MDMA causes an increased concentration of serotonin in synapses (spaces between nerve cells). This results in the characteristic euphoria, empathy, and general love that most users experience.
The brain is not built to deal with MDMA. Normally, serotonin concentrations inside and outside of a nerve cell are relatively constant. MDMA causes a depletion of serotonin. This is where the neurotoxicity begins. After serotonin is depleted, serotonin transporters, which normally bring serotonin back into the nerve cell after it has done its job, are empty. As a result, somehow dopamine gets brought into the cell by the transporters.
Dopamine alone is toxic to serotonin cells. More importantly, the breakdown of dopamine inside the cells is what causes the toxicity. Normally when serotonin is taken back (reuptake) into the cell from the synapse, it is metabolized (broken down) into smaller molecules and recycled to make new serotonin. When dopamine enters the serotonin cell, it too is metabolized. These metabolites, however are toxic to the cells. Dopamine is broken down into hydrogen peroxide, a free radical, which oxidizes (combines with oxygen) parts of the cell which aren't meant to be oxidized. This produces oxidative stress. The brain, like every other thing on the planet, likes equilibrium (balance). This increase in oxidation causes problems, in MDMA's case perhaps cell death.
A large part of loading concerns the ingestion of anti-oxidants, which are exactly what they sound like. Anti-oxidants work to inhibit oxidation. The theory behind this is that taking anti-oxidant supplements can decrease or even eliminate the excess oxidation caused by MDMA, providing neuroprotection (protecting the nerve cells from toxicity).
Another theory is that some MDMA metabolites may be toxic... but that is a whole different story.
That is a lot to take in. Hopefully it makes sense, there is a lot of science but I tried to clarify anything which probably is unfamiliar to most people.
On to the real deal.
Pre-loading
The idea behind pre-loading is to elevate the level of antioxidants available to the brain before MDMA causes increased oxidation, hopefully combatting it before it even begins to hapen. In addition to antioxidants, it is a good idea to take some other supplements to combat the less dangerous but still harmful side effects of MDMA.
Here is a list of common supplements used during pre-loading:
Antioxidants
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Sources: Countless generic Vitamin C pills or multivitamins, many fresh fruits and vegetables
Recommended dose: 500mg-2000mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will help reduce oxidation. Thought to recycle unused Vitamin E.
Notes: a water-soluble vitamin, any excess will be excreted in the urine. However this means it doesn't stay in the body very long. Most of it is gone after 3 or 4 hours. This is why it should be taken multiple times during an MDMA session. However, as an acid, too much can cause stomach problems (ie diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn). An overdose is extremely unlikely, but too much can cause side effects which will make the experience less enjoyable. A good idea is to pre-load with 1000mg and post-load with the same, although some users find it produces nausea if taken during post-load. Know how your body will react before supplementing during an actual session. In addition, ascorbic acid is obviously acidic, and a more acidic environment is not conducive to MDMA absorption. However, my dog has never noticed the slightest decrease in MDMA awesomeness due to taking this supplement.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Sources: supplements, some foods such as eggs, avocado, spinach, some nuts
Recommended dose: 200-400 IU
How it works: an anti-oxidant, will prevent oxidation.
Notes: a fat-soluble vitamin, it leaves the body much more slowly than a water-soluble vitamin (ie ascorbic acid). Risk of overdose is higher, especially since supplementing usually involves taking more than the recommended dosage. It is probably quite safe to go to at least 1000 IU a day, and the risk of overdose is significantly decreased if the vitamin is only taken for one day (ie for one MDMA session and not as a continued high-dose supplement). Too much Vitamin E can cause stomach problems, fatigue, and headache. Again, test yourself before experimenting during an actual session.
Grape seed extract
Sources: grapes (duh), supplements
Recommended dose: 50-100mg
How it works: contains antioxidants, will reduce oxidation.
Notes: Grape seed extract is a very long lasting antioxidant, a half life (how long until half of it is broken down or out of the body) of about 7 hours. Therefore it is really only necessary to take this during pre-loading as an MDMA session usually only lasts about 6 hours. Side effects (quite uncommon): headache, nausea, stomach pain. Theoretically could increase the risk of internal bleeding, so be careful if you have any health issues such as a bleeding disorder.
ALA (alpha-lipoic acid)
Sources: red meats*, yeast, supplements
Recommended dose: 600mg-3000mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will reduce oxidation.
Notes: water and fat soluble, a very strong antioxidant as it can work pretty much everywhere. Short half life.
Coenzyme Q10
Sources: some fish, ie mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna; supplements
Recommended dose: 50mg-300mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will reduce oxidation. Necessary for healthy mitochondrial (mitochondria are a cell's source of energy) functioning.
Notes: fat soluble, half life of over a day, therefore only necessary to take during pre-loading. At higher doses, effectiveness decreases as dosage increases.
Other supplements
Magnesium
Source: green vegetables, some legumes, nuts, and whole grains; supplements
Recommended dose: 400-1000mg
How it works: A common side effect of stimulants (including MDMA) is bruxism (jaw-clenching). Magnesium helps relax muscles.
Notes: Be careful with dosing this one. Excess magnesium can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Couple with dehydration this can make for some nasty side effects. Again, determine what an acceptable dose is for yourself before mixing with MDMA. No one wants to have to sit on the toilet all night when they could be out on the dance floor.
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)/trytophan
Sources: 5-HTP can only really be found in supplements. It is the precursor (the chemical involved in the reaction which produces another chemical, ie serotonin) to serotonin. Tryptophan, the immediate precursor to 5-HTP, can be found in turkey, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and some fruits (notably bananas, which are delicious).
Recommended dose: Tryptophan supplementation is much less common than 5-HTP supplementation, so that is what will be discussed. Why supplement with the precursor to the precursor when you can skip a step and make it easier for your body? As stated previously, 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. Therefore it needs to be converted to serotonin by the body before it has any effect. It takes a few hours for this conversion to happen, and only taking it during preloading the day of a session won't have a significant effect. 5-HTP has been shown to increase serotonin levels in mice, and presumably this would help with depression... but depression is (most likely) a result of constant low levels of serotonin, therefore 5-HTP should be doses continuously also. It is recommended to take 100-200mg a day for at least a few days prior to the experience.
How it works: Basically provides more raw material for the production of serotonin.
Notes: Artificially increasing serotonin levels may put a user at risk of developing serotonin syndrome (basically a serotonin overdose- NOT a good thing) when combined with MDMA. There is really only anecdotal evidence concerning this supplement. Many users have reported no effects, others have reported ill effects, and some stand by the claim that it definitely contributes to the MDMA experience. Only you can decide. Personally, my dog would not recommend bothering with this one at all during pre-loading to be safe... definitely go for it during post-loading though, no risk of potentially fatal side effects. One study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7934616), showed neuroprotective effects, but this is about the only publication my dog could find.
Antacids (ie Tums, Rolaids)
Sources: Don't bother with trying to eat foods which have anti-acidic properties. Just buy some Tums.
Recommended dose: 400-2000mg (perhaps 2 or 3 Tums is a good choice)
How it works: This is tricky. Acidity inhibits the absorption of amphetamines. The point of taking antacids is to reduce the acidity of the stomach, increasing absorption of the MDMA. Tums and Rolaids both contain the compound CaCO3, which (my dog believes) breaks down into Ca+2 and CO3-2 (a weak base) in the stomach. However, like the brain, the stomach also works hard to maintain equilibrium (in this case a very acidic environment), therefore if one eats a bunch of basic (opposite of acidic) substances, the stomach will work harder to bring the acidity level back to normal, perhaps actually momentarily increasing stomach acidity. Antacids containing carbonate (ie the CO3 in Tums and Rolaids) usually take about 30 minutes to begin doing their duty, therefore it is recommended to take them with the MDMA rather than a small time before. My dog hasn't had enough experience with MDMA to conclude whether this has any real effect or not, but perhaps other users can offer some input.
Grapefruit juice
Sources: grapefruits... or grapefruits in juice form.
Recommended dose: A big tall glass.
How it works: It is generally accepted that grapefruit inhibits an enzyme (a substance which helps a reaction take place) which breaks down many recreational drugs, ie MDMA... but this is wrong. Grapefruit juice does potentiate MDMA (among many other drugs), but by a different mechanism. My dog won't get into the details as it would twist many people brains, but here is a great thread Paracelsus posted about the subject if one would like to delve further into it: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...apefruit+juice
Notes: While grapefruit juice can definitely increase MDMA bioavailability (a measure of the amount of a drug which actually contributes to a physiological response), it may be counteracted by the fact that grapefruit juice is very acidic (about a pH of 3 on a scale of 1-14, 1 being the most acidic). My dog hasn't read anything specific about this dilemma, and he hasn't had enough experience to make a conclusion. Again, who knows what's best for you? You do! Be the guinea pig.
Piracetam
Sources: supplements
Recommended dose: 1000mg-4000mg a day for days or weeks before an MDMA session
How it works: The exact mechanism of action of piracetam, a drug originally developed to slow the progression of such mentally deteriorating diseases as Alzheimer's or alcoholism, is not completely known. It is thought to enhance cognition and memory, as well as increase blood flow in the brain. Many experiences posted on Erowid champion the use of this drug, claiming it enhances the experience, perhaps reduces tolerance. My dog couldn't find any publications on this subject and doesn't expect to... piracetam is a relatively new and understudied drug, most people have never even heard of it. My dog says that he has personally tried this (dosing for 4 or 5 days before an MDMA experience) and can say his third roll was just as good if not better than his first, both were similar doses. He has only had three though so cannot give a real conclusion. ONLY YOU HOLD THE POWER TO DECIDE.
There are MANY more possible supplements. This is merely a list of the most common, perhaps most effective ones. Any combination of supplements can be taken. Perhaps one is sensitive to magnesium but always has a sore jaw after an experience... look for another supplement which can induce muscle relaxation, or simply bring a pacifier (if you're into that... my dog thinks these are best given to babies)! Can't afford expensive anti-oxidants like ALA or grapeseed extract? Eat an orange. Guinea pigs!
H2O (WATER!)
This is the most important supplement of all. Drink lots of it! All the time! MDMA causes dehydration and increased heart rate (the heart is working super hard), dancing causes dehydration (and works the heart even harder), and those who drink alcohol with MDMA (which my dog hears is quite common... doesn't understand why anyone would want to cloud the experience) are dehydrating themselves even more. This can be a dangerous combination. Drink at least a 20oz bottle or so every hour, especially if a guinea pig is dancing really hard. What about too much water? Risk of hyponatremia (basically a water overdose) is quite low, but still possible. In fact, in terms of deaths associated with MDMA this is really one of the only things to worry about, aside from polydrug (more than one drug) use and dehydration. Possible hyponatremia is easily combatted by drinking something with electrolytes (ie Gatorade) which will not disturb the body's salt balance as much.
Sample pre-loading regimen
(my dog's ideal recipe)
Every day for approximately a week or more prior to the experience:
4000mg Piracetam (2000mg 2x a day)
Anywhere from 1 hr to at the time of MDMA ingestion (MDMA usually takes approximately 30-60 minutes to work its magic):
1000mg Vitamin C
400 IU Vitamin E
50 mg Co-Q10
600mg ALA
400mg magnesium (too much hurts his tummy)
And finally, 2-3 tums at the time or about half an hour prior to MDMA ingestion (my dog proposes that if he takes the Tums 30 minutes before ingestion, the levels of base will be relatively high when he ingests the MDMA)
Guinea pigs: see what works best for you! Theoretical knowledge is great, but experience is just as important.
Post-loading
There are really two "post-loads"... my dog defines the first as perhaps 3-6 hours after MDMA ingestion, and the second as the day/night (depending on when the MDMA was taken) and a few days after the experience.
First post-load (about 3-6 hours after MDMA ingestion, or as soon as possible after that)
Since after 3-6 hours MDMA is still potentially toxifying nerve cells, many of the supplements should still be used. Antioxidants (in the same, higher, or lower doses- YOU DECIDE) are still a good idea, just be careful with fat-solubles such as Vitamin E... chances of something terrible happening are miniscule, but it is still good to practice harm reduction of harm reduction! Some users complain of stomach cramps when post-loading with Vitamin C (talk to your guinea pig). Magnesium is also a good idea if guinea pigs think they are having jaw issues. Now, my dog thinks, is the best time for 5-HTP supplementation. As serotonin is quite depleted, giving the body more raw serotonin material can only help. Perhaps 100-200mg at this time, and more the following few days (discussed soon).
If one's guinea pig has it available, perhaps think about something like Prozac (fluoxetine), or Celexa (citalopram), both SSRI's (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor). SSRI's have a high (ie higher than dopamine) affinity (attraction) for serotonin transporters. Since the theory behind MDMA neurotoxicity concerns the reuptake of dopamine after serotonin depletion, perhaps fluoxetine can prevent this reuptake, as when it binds to serotonin transporters it sticks and it is difficult for things to get back into the cell (hence why it is used to treat depression- it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin [which regulates mood], increasing the serotonin concentration in the synapse).
DO NOT take SSRI's before using MDMA. Well, if your guinea pig wants to, go ahead. But he probably won't feel much, if anything.
Most importantly, hydrate! My dog thinks MDMA and humans are a match made in heaven, but physiologically they don't really like each other. Give your heart a helping hand by replenishing it with delicious liquids.
Sample first post-load regimen:
(again my dog's ideal)
1000mg Vitamin C
400 IU Vitamin E
400mg magnesium if his jaw is uncontrollable
600mg ALA
Second post-load (after returning to baseline and the day after)
Now the experience is over. But it was awesome right? You had fun, but your body and brain didn't. Depending on what time it is and whether you have an appetite, eat a nutritious (and large) meal. Spoil yourself, but spoil yourself with classy things. Eat some fish (omega fatty acids promote brain health), a pound of salad, a fresh fruit smoothie, etc. It's not that hard to make a great tasting meal which also helps your body. My dog enjoys a huge bowl of whole grain cereal and bananas, plus a plateful of veggies and some sort of protein (but he is a vegetarian and has some pretty odd eating habits).
Most likely it is too late to eat/you aren't hungry. Go to sleep! Sleep well. Again, spoil yourself. It's ok to live a little, but good things come at a price... your body did all the work, now give it some rest.
In the morning, keep the nutritious mindset. Eat a large breakfast, stay hydrated, and continue to be healthy for the rest of the day and the next few days. Maybe even do some exercise! The only supplement my dog would suggest for the days after an experience is 5-HTP, at the doses recommended in previous sections of this post.
Sample second post-load regimen
A LOT OF FOOD. Food at night, food in the morning, food all day. Drink a ton too! Perhaps start a few days of 5-HTP supplementation, especially if your guinea pig thinks he might suffer a case of the Tuesday blues.
Hope this helps! Much of the information in this post was drawn from simple google searches (ie supplement sources), some is from personal and peer experience. However, much of the science is published. My dog uploaded a few articles and from which he drew conclusions, for example the theory behind MDMA neurotoxicity.
WillowOne created a comprehensive week-long regimen here.
Stay safe!
Notes:
*bLuE posted this:
Quote:
one of the metabolites of MDMA is MDA. MDA can cause stomach problems, and liver problems from excessive bile build up when the user eats fatty food's before taking the MDMA or MDA. users should eat fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates before, (and during) instead of meat, cheese or dairy. this is often what causes the discomfort involved with taking MDxx compunds, and infact often not stomach acidity.
This is a good point, and it also reminds my dog that for the most part, supplements are recommended over many of the food sources for three reasons. First off, because it is best to eat on a relatively empty stomach to increase potential MDMA absorption and the rate at which it occurs, second, as bLuE mentioned, certain foods can interact negatively with MDMA, and third (from experience alone), it's just a lot easier to pop a few pills than plan out an organized meal. It is a mystery to my dog why anyone would want to eat a giant steak before an MDMA experience anyway...
Regarding the inclusion of more information on MDMA toxicity (I assume Priapism requested this), which someone mentioned in a rep:
I totally agree. However, as Dr. Satan said apparently they are close to finishing a more informative sticky which (hopefully) will have a large section on neurotoxicity. In addition, this thread was geared toward pre/postloading... yes the reason this is done is to prevent neurotoxicity, but if my dog really got into talking about it in depth then he would have to start explaining much more about biology, pharmacology, MDMA biochemistry, etc. which 1) would be difficult for many people to understand and 2) would defeat the purpose of a thread solely about pre/postloading. In addition, a bunch of the articles attached talk way more in depth about the toxicity and propose theories as to why it may be neurotoxic and how. Lastly, I say may because there is no definitive evidence that MDMA is neurotoxic, at least in the short term. There have been studies which show obvious almost irreparable breakdown of functioning in heavy, long term users, but for the most part it seems like (from what my dog has read) that they are hard pressed to prove that moderate doses spread out over time cause permanent changes. Plus, the theories behind WHY it might be neurotoxic are still only THEORIES. Just to clarify, my dog does believes that if a guinea pig takes a bunch of ecstasy too often (ie every weekend 3 or 4 pills) that this will definitely have at least semi-long term problems and the danger seems to be related to how often and how heavy the use is... but he firmly opposes the idea that taking 120mg of MDMA 2 or 3 times a year will cause any permanent damage.
Links:
Your brain on ecstasy (a brilliant slideshow created by DanceSafe, a harm reduction website): http://www.dancesafe.org/slideshow/
Free radicals and antioxidants: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/antioxid.htm
5-HTP and MDMA (Erowid)
Piracetam (most of you have probably never heard of it): http://www.ds-health.com/pir_res.htm
SSRI's: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/antidepressants/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-ssris/menu-id-68/ ; abstract of article about fluoxetine's neuroprotective effect (couldn't find the full article): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...&ordinalpos=11
Read more: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108415#ixzz1cxeAAeB5"
My own personal post-roll regimen usually includes:
-1 to 2 MG Xanax or other short acting benzodiazepine.
-2 Capsules of good quality fish oil. Highly purified, quality liquid fish oil is recommended as well (ie. Nordic Naturals etc.) in the case of taking a liquid fish oil supplement , 2 tablespoons worth should do the trick for the stated purposes.
-2 500 mg Quercetin tablets. Quercetin is a high powered antioxidant that may prevent or ease oxidative stress during as well as after the MDMA experience. The brand I use (Source Naturals) also include fairly high doses of Vitamin C amongst other things. I take these before I drop and re-dose when coming down. When I pre-load with them it certainly seems to potentiate things. A recent example being 2 friends ate 2 of the same pills that I did and said that they didn't end up getting much out of it so they bought more pills. I however, was rolling face after popping two Quercetin tablets 30 minutes prior to dropping. I've read that this is due to quercetin changing the way MDMA is processed through certain enzyme activity. I'd like to see more research done on this front.
More Quercetin info:
from Wikipedia:
"Quercetin is a flavonoid widely distributed in nature. The name has been used since 1857, and is derived from quercetum (oak forest), after Quercus.[2][3] It is a naturally-occurring polar auxin transport inhibitor.[4]
Foods rich in quercetin include black and green tea (Camellia sinensis; 2000–2500 mg/kg), capers (1800 mg/kg),[5] lovage (1700 mg/kg), apples (44 mg/kg), onion, especially red onion (191 mg/kg) (higher concentrations of quercetin occur in the outermost rings[6]), red grapes, citrus fruit, tomato, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and a number of berries, including raspberry, bog whortleberry (158 mg/kg, fresh weight), lingonberry (cultivated 74 mg/kg, wild 146 mg/kg), cranberry (cultivated 83 mg/kg, wild 121 mg/kg), chokeberry (89 mg/kg), sweet rowan (85 mg/kg), rowanberry (63 mg/kg), sea buckthorn berry (62 mg/kg), crowberry (cultivated 53 mg/kg, wild 56 mg/kg),[7] and the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. A recent study found that organically grown tomatoes had 79% more quercetin than "conventionally grown".[8]
A study[9] by the University of Queensland, Australia has also indicated the presence of quercetin in varieties of honey, including honey derived from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.[10]"
It's always preferable to get vitamins and nutrients in their complex, natural state i.e. eating healthy nutrent-rich foods is preferable to popping supplements, though supplements can and do serve a multitude of purposes.
-1 Quality Adult 1 a day Multivitamin (to cover the rest of the gaps in vitamins and minerals and another agent in the fight against oxidative stress. I stress quality here as purchasing quality vitamin products is important. If you decide to go cheap and buy the Wal Mart generic brand, be forewarned that they have relatively poor bioavailability and oftentimes pass unabsorbed through the stool. A good brand should be taken with some food, and should dissolve completely in your small intestine.
-Stay Hydrated! and eat healthy! I prefer to drink power-ade or other sports drinks throughout the night to replace lost electrolytes and sometimes I have to remind myself to take breaks to prevent overexertion. It's important not to go overboard with the hydration either, a healthy balance must be found. try to listen to your body. After hours, I usually switch to straight water.If I've gone to a party/rave/club whatever I like to chill out and eat a bit of somewhat healthy food with decent amounts of proteins and other nutrients. Eating turkey or chicken can be healthy as they both contain L-Tryptophan, which may have neuro-protective properties as well. Eating high quality eggs and as many fruits/veggies as you can handle is always good as well. Try not to eat too much though. If you don;t have much of an appetite I suggest a whole food bar such as "Larabars" or "Cliff Bars". If I'm trying to chill out I'll brew myself up a cup of chamomile tea, which has some very soothing and relaxing properties to it. Ojibwe Native American herbal tea is also recommended as it can be cleansing and relaxing at the same time. It can easily be found at a nearby Whole Foods or regular grocery store.
"Preloading and Postloading with MDMA
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is thought to be potentially neurotoxic due to free radicals (atoms or molecules which have an unpaired electron) created as a result of the neurological actions of MDMA. The neurotoxicity of MDMA is still being debated. There are many studies which conclude that MDMA is neurotoxic (the extent of which is determined by dose, rate of use, and other factors), and there are probably just as many studies which conclude that it is not. The neurotoxicity of MDMA is still a theory, as exactly how MDMA works is also not known. Until a legitimately conclusive study is published, users must decide for themselves. Either way, because there is strong evidence that MDMA is potentially neurotoxic, it is a good idea to practice some sort of harm reduction. A great technique to combat possible unwanted acute and chronic neurological, emotional, and/or physical detoriation of the mind and body is called loading.
Loading in the context of MDMA use is the practice of taking natural or synthetic supplements before (pre-loading), during, and/or after (post-loading) an MDMA session in order to better prepare your mind and body for the experience.
The most widely accepted theory for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity concerns damage caused by dopamine, a neurotransmitter which plays a huge part in attention, motor function, and pleasure, among many others. The euphoria experienced during an MDMA session is caused by an increase in the release of serotonin, another neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep cycles, and more. MDMA's mechanism of action is complicated to anyone unfamiliar with general neuroscience, and again is not fully understood, but the end result of ingesting MDMA causes an increased concentration of serotonin in synapses (spaces between nerve cells). This results in the characteristic euphoria, empathy, and general love that most users experience.
The brain is not built to deal with MDMA. Normally, serotonin concentrations inside and outside of a nerve cell are relatively constant. MDMA causes a depletion of serotonin. This is where the neurotoxicity begins. After serotonin is depleted, serotonin transporters, which normally bring serotonin back into the nerve cell after it has done its job, are empty. As a result, somehow dopamine gets brought into the cell by the transporters.
Dopamine alone is toxic to serotonin cells. More importantly, the breakdown of dopamine inside the cells is what causes the toxicity. Normally when serotonin is taken back (reuptake) into the cell from the synapse, it is metabolized (broken down) into smaller molecules and recycled to make new serotonin. When dopamine enters the serotonin cell, it too is metabolized. These metabolites, however are toxic to the cells. Dopamine is broken down into hydrogen peroxide, a free radical, which oxidizes (combines with oxygen) parts of the cell which aren't meant to be oxidized. This produces oxidative stress. The brain, like every other thing on the planet, likes equilibrium (balance). This increase in oxidation causes problems, in MDMA's case perhaps cell death.
A large part of loading concerns the ingestion of anti-oxidants, which are exactly what they sound like. Anti-oxidants work to inhibit oxidation. The theory behind this is that taking anti-oxidant supplements can decrease or even eliminate the excess oxidation caused by MDMA, providing neuroprotection (protecting the nerve cells from toxicity).
Another theory is that some MDMA metabolites may be toxic... but that is a whole different story.
That is a lot to take in. Hopefully it makes sense, there is a lot of science but I tried to clarify anything which probably is unfamiliar to most people.
On to the real deal.
Pre-loading
The idea behind pre-loading is to elevate the level of antioxidants available to the brain before MDMA causes increased oxidation, hopefully combatting it before it even begins to hapen. In addition to antioxidants, it is a good idea to take some other supplements to combat the less dangerous but still harmful side effects of MDMA.
Here is a list of common supplements used during pre-loading:
Antioxidants
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Sources: Countless generic Vitamin C pills or multivitamins, many fresh fruits and vegetables
Recommended dose: 500mg-2000mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will help reduce oxidation. Thought to recycle unused Vitamin E.
Notes: a water-soluble vitamin, any excess will be excreted in the urine. However this means it doesn't stay in the body very long. Most of it is gone after 3 or 4 hours. This is why it should be taken multiple times during an MDMA session. However, as an acid, too much can cause stomach problems (ie diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn). An overdose is extremely unlikely, but too much can cause side effects which will make the experience less enjoyable. A good idea is to pre-load with 1000mg and post-load with the same, although some users find it produces nausea if taken during post-load. Know how your body will react before supplementing during an actual session. In addition, ascorbic acid is obviously acidic, and a more acidic environment is not conducive to MDMA absorption. However, my dog has never noticed the slightest decrease in MDMA awesomeness due to taking this supplement.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Sources: supplements, some foods such as eggs, avocado, spinach, some nuts
Recommended dose: 200-400 IU
How it works: an anti-oxidant, will prevent oxidation.
Notes: a fat-soluble vitamin, it leaves the body much more slowly than a water-soluble vitamin (ie ascorbic acid). Risk of overdose is higher, especially since supplementing usually involves taking more than the recommended dosage. It is probably quite safe to go to at least 1000 IU a day, and the risk of overdose is significantly decreased if the vitamin is only taken for one day (ie for one MDMA session and not as a continued high-dose supplement). Too much Vitamin E can cause stomach problems, fatigue, and headache. Again, test yourself before experimenting during an actual session.
Grape seed extract
Sources: grapes (duh), supplements
Recommended dose: 50-100mg
How it works: contains antioxidants, will reduce oxidation.
Notes: Grape seed extract is a very long lasting antioxidant, a half life (how long until half of it is broken down or out of the body) of about 7 hours. Therefore it is really only necessary to take this during pre-loading as an MDMA session usually only lasts about 6 hours. Side effects (quite uncommon): headache, nausea, stomach pain. Theoretically could increase the risk of internal bleeding, so be careful if you have any health issues such as a bleeding disorder.
ALA (alpha-lipoic acid)
Sources: red meats*, yeast, supplements
Recommended dose: 600mg-3000mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will reduce oxidation.
Notes: water and fat soluble, a very strong antioxidant as it can work pretty much everywhere. Short half life.
Coenzyme Q10
Sources: some fish, ie mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna; supplements
Recommended dose: 50mg-300mg
How it works: an antioxidant, will reduce oxidation. Necessary for healthy mitochondrial (mitochondria are a cell's source of energy) functioning.
Notes: fat soluble, half life of over a day, therefore only necessary to take during pre-loading. At higher doses, effectiveness decreases as dosage increases.
Other supplements
Magnesium
Source: green vegetables, some legumes, nuts, and whole grains; supplements
Recommended dose: 400-1000mg
How it works: A common side effect of stimulants (including MDMA) is bruxism (jaw-clenching). Magnesium helps relax muscles.
Notes: Be careful with dosing this one. Excess magnesium can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Couple with dehydration this can make for some nasty side effects. Again, determine what an acceptable dose is for yourself before mixing with MDMA. No one wants to have to sit on the toilet all night when they could be out on the dance floor.
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)/trytophan
Sources: 5-HTP can only really be found in supplements. It is the precursor (the chemical involved in the reaction which produces another chemical, ie serotonin) to serotonin. Tryptophan, the immediate precursor to 5-HTP, can be found in turkey, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and some fruits (notably bananas, which are delicious).
Recommended dose: Tryptophan supplementation is much less common than 5-HTP supplementation, so that is what will be discussed. Why supplement with the precursor to the precursor when you can skip a step and make it easier for your body? As stated previously, 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. Therefore it needs to be converted to serotonin by the body before it has any effect. It takes a few hours for this conversion to happen, and only taking it during preloading the day of a session won't have a significant effect. 5-HTP has been shown to increase serotonin levels in mice, and presumably this would help with depression... but depression is (most likely) a result of constant low levels of serotonin, therefore 5-HTP should be doses continuously also. It is recommended to take 100-200mg a day for at least a few days prior to the experience.
How it works: Basically provides more raw material for the production of serotonin.
Notes: Artificially increasing serotonin levels may put a user at risk of developing serotonin syndrome (basically a serotonin overdose- NOT a good thing) when combined with MDMA. There is really only anecdotal evidence concerning this supplement. Many users have reported no effects, others have reported ill effects, and some stand by the claim that it definitely contributes to the MDMA experience. Only you can decide. Personally, my dog would not recommend bothering with this one at all during pre-loading to be safe... definitely go for it during post-loading though, no risk of potentially fatal side effects. One study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7934616), showed neuroprotective effects, but this is about the only publication my dog could find.
Antacids (ie Tums, Rolaids)
Sources: Don't bother with trying to eat foods which have anti-acidic properties. Just buy some Tums.
Recommended dose: 400-2000mg (perhaps 2 or 3 Tums is a good choice)
How it works: This is tricky. Acidity inhibits the absorption of amphetamines. The point of taking antacids is to reduce the acidity of the stomach, increasing absorption of the MDMA. Tums and Rolaids both contain the compound CaCO3, which (my dog believes) breaks down into Ca+2 and CO3-2 (a weak base) in the stomach. However, like the brain, the stomach also works hard to maintain equilibrium (in this case a very acidic environment), therefore if one eats a bunch of basic (opposite of acidic) substances, the stomach will work harder to bring the acidity level back to normal, perhaps actually momentarily increasing stomach acidity. Antacids containing carbonate (ie the CO3 in Tums and Rolaids) usually take about 30 minutes to begin doing their duty, therefore it is recommended to take them with the MDMA rather than a small time before. My dog hasn't had enough experience with MDMA to conclude whether this has any real effect or not, but perhaps other users can offer some input.
Grapefruit juice
Sources: grapefruits... or grapefruits in juice form.
Recommended dose: A big tall glass.
How it works: It is generally accepted that grapefruit inhibits an enzyme (a substance which helps a reaction take place) which breaks down many recreational drugs, ie MDMA... but this is wrong. Grapefruit juice does potentiate MDMA (among many other drugs), but by a different mechanism. My dog won't get into the details as it would twist many people brains, but here is a great thread Paracelsus posted about the subject if one would like to delve further into it: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...apefruit+juice
Notes: While grapefruit juice can definitely increase MDMA bioavailability (a measure of the amount of a drug which actually contributes to a physiological response), it may be counteracted by the fact that grapefruit juice is very acidic (about a pH of 3 on a scale of 1-14, 1 being the most acidic). My dog hasn't read anything specific about this dilemma, and he hasn't had enough experience to make a conclusion. Again, who knows what's best for you? You do! Be the guinea pig.
Piracetam
Sources: supplements
Recommended dose: 1000mg-4000mg a day for days or weeks before an MDMA session
How it works: The exact mechanism of action of piracetam, a drug originally developed to slow the progression of such mentally deteriorating diseases as Alzheimer's or alcoholism, is not completely known. It is thought to enhance cognition and memory, as well as increase blood flow in the brain. Many experiences posted on Erowid champion the use of this drug, claiming it enhances the experience, perhaps reduces tolerance. My dog couldn't find any publications on this subject and doesn't expect to... piracetam is a relatively new and understudied drug, most people have never even heard of it. My dog says that he has personally tried this (dosing for 4 or 5 days before an MDMA experience) and can say his third roll was just as good if not better than his first, both were similar doses. He has only had three though so cannot give a real conclusion. ONLY YOU HOLD THE POWER TO DECIDE.
There are MANY more possible supplements. This is merely a list of the most common, perhaps most effective ones. Any combination of supplements can be taken. Perhaps one is sensitive to magnesium but always has a sore jaw after an experience... look for another supplement which can induce muscle relaxation, or simply bring a pacifier (if you're into that... my dog thinks these are best given to babies)! Can't afford expensive anti-oxidants like ALA or grapeseed extract? Eat an orange. Guinea pigs!
H2O (WATER!)
This is the most important supplement of all. Drink lots of it! All the time! MDMA causes dehydration and increased heart rate (the heart is working super hard), dancing causes dehydration (and works the heart even harder), and those who drink alcohol with MDMA (which my dog hears is quite common... doesn't understand why anyone would want to cloud the experience) are dehydrating themselves even more. This can be a dangerous combination. Drink at least a 20oz bottle or so every hour, especially if a guinea pig is dancing really hard. What about too much water? Risk of hyponatremia (basically a water overdose) is quite low, but still possible. In fact, in terms of deaths associated with MDMA this is really one of the only things to worry about, aside from polydrug (more than one drug) use and dehydration. Possible hyponatremia is easily combatted by drinking something with electrolytes (ie Gatorade) which will not disturb the body's salt balance as much.
Sample pre-loading regimen
(my dog's ideal recipe)
Every day for approximately a week or more prior to the experience:
4000mg Piracetam (2000mg 2x a day)
Anywhere from 1 hr to at the time of MDMA ingestion (MDMA usually takes approximately 30-60 minutes to work its magic):
1000mg Vitamin C
400 IU Vitamin E
50 mg Co-Q10
600mg ALA
400mg magnesium (too much hurts his tummy)
And finally, 2-3 tums at the time or about half an hour prior to MDMA ingestion (my dog proposes that if he takes the Tums 30 minutes before ingestion, the levels of base will be relatively high when he ingests the MDMA)
Guinea pigs: see what works best for you! Theoretical knowledge is great, but experience is just as important.
Post-loading
There are really two "post-loads"... my dog defines the first as perhaps 3-6 hours after MDMA ingestion, and the second as the day/night (depending on when the MDMA was taken) and a few days after the experience.
First post-load (about 3-6 hours after MDMA ingestion, or as soon as possible after that)
Since after 3-6 hours MDMA is still potentially toxifying nerve cells, many of the supplements should still be used. Antioxidants (in the same, higher, or lower doses- YOU DECIDE) are still a good idea, just be careful with fat-solubles such as Vitamin E... chances of something terrible happening are miniscule, but it is still good to practice harm reduction of harm reduction! Some users complain of stomach cramps when post-loading with Vitamin C (talk to your guinea pig). Magnesium is also a good idea if guinea pigs think they are having jaw issues. Now, my dog thinks, is the best time for 5-HTP supplementation. As serotonin is quite depleted, giving the body more raw serotonin material can only help. Perhaps 100-200mg at this time, and more the following few days (discussed soon).
If one's guinea pig has it available, perhaps think about something like Prozac (fluoxetine), or Celexa (citalopram), both SSRI's (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor). SSRI's have a high (ie higher than dopamine) affinity (attraction) for serotonin transporters. Since the theory behind MDMA neurotoxicity concerns the reuptake of dopamine after serotonin depletion, perhaps fluoxetine can prevent this reuptake, as when it binds to serotonin transporters it sticks and it is difficult for things to get back into the cell (hence why it is used to treat depression- it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin [which regulates mood], increasing the serotonin concentration in the synapse).
DO NOT take SSRI's before using MDMA. Well, if your guinea pig wants to, go ahead. But he probably won't feel much, if anything.
Most importantly, hydrate! My dog thinks MDMA and humans are a match made in heaven, but physiologically they don't really like each other. Give your heart a helping hand by replenishing it with delicious liquids.
Sample first post-load regimen:
(again my dog's ideal)
1000mg Vitamin C
400 IU Vitamin E
400mg magnesium if his jaw is uncontrollable
600mg ALA
Second post-load (after returning to baseline and the day after)
Now the experience is over. But it was awesome right? You had fun, but your body and brain didn't. Depending on what time it is and whether you have an appetite, eat a nutritious (and large) meal. Spoil yourself, but spoil yourself with classy things. Eat some fish (omega fatty acids promote brain health), a pound of salad, a fresh fruit smoothie, etc. It's not that hard to make a great tasting meal which also helps your body. My dog enjoys a huge bowl of whole grain cereal and bananas, plus a plateful of veggies and some sort of protein (but he is a vegetarian and has some pretty odd eating habits).
Most likely it is too late to eat/you aren't hungry. Go to sleep! Sleep well. Again, spoil yourself. It's ok to live a little, but good things come at a price... your body did all the work, now give it some rest.
In the morning, keep the nutritious mindset. Eat a large breakfast, stay hydrated, and continue to be healthy for the rest of the day and the next few days. Maybe even do some exercise! The only supplement my dog would suggest for the days after an experience is 5-HTP, at the doses recommended in previous sections of this post.
Sample second post-load regimen
A LOT OF FOOD. Food at night, food in the morning, food all day. Drink a ton too! Perhaps start a few days of 5-HTP supplementation, especially if your guinea pig thinks he might suffer a case of the Tuesday blues.
Hope this helps! Much of the information in this post was drawn from simple google searches (ie supplement sources), some is from personal and peer experience. However, much of the science is published. My dog uploaded a few articles and from which he drew conclusions, for example the theory behind MDMA neurotoxicity.
WillowOne created a comprehensive week-long regimen here.
Stay safe!
Notes:
*bLuE posted this:
Quote:
one of the metabolites of MDMA is MDA. MDA can cause stomach problems, and liver problems from excessive bile build up when the user eats fatty food's before taking the MDMA or MDA. users should eat fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates before, (and during) instead of meat, cheese or dairy. this is often what causes the discomfort involved with taking MDxx compunds, and infact often not stomach acidity.
This is a good point, and it also reminds my dog that for the most part, supplements are recommended over many of the food sources for three reasons. First off, because it is best to eat on a relatively empty stomach to increase potential MDMA absorption and the rate at which it occurs, second, as bLuE mentioned, certain foods can interact negatively with MDMA, and third (from experience alone), it's just a lot easier to pop a few pills than plan out an organized meal. It is a mystery to my dog why anyone would want to eat a giant steak before an MDMA experience anyway...
Regarding the inclusion of more information on MDMA toxicity (I assume Priapism requested this), which someone mentioned in a rep:
I totally agree. However, as Dr. Satan said apparently they are close to finishing a more informative sticky which (hopefully) will have a large section on neurotoxicity. In addition, this thread was geared toward pre/postloading... yes the reason this is done is to prevent neurotoxicity, but if my dog really got into talking about it in depth then he would have to start explaining much more about biology, pharmacology, MDMA biochemistry, etc. which 1) would be difficult for many people to understand and 2) would defeat the purpose of a thread solely about pre/postloading. In addition, a bunch of the articles attached talk way more in depth about the toxicity and propose theories as to why it may be neurotoxic and how. Lastly, I say may because there is no definitive evidence that MDMA is neurotoxic, at least in the short term. There have been studies which show obvious almost irreparable breakdown of functioning in heavy, long term users, but for the most part it seems like (from what my dog has read) that they are hard pressed to prove that moderate doses spread out over time cause permanent changes. Plus, the theories behind WHY it might be neurotoxic are still only THEORIES. Just to clarify, my dog does believes that if a guinea pig takes a bunch of ecstasy too often (ie every weekend 3 or 4 pills) that this will definitely have at least semi-long term problems and the danger seems to be related to how often and how heavy the use is... but he firmly opposes the idea that taking 120mg of MDMA 2 or 3 times a year will cause any permanent damage.
Links:
Your brain on ecstasy (a brilliant slideshow created by DanceSafe, a harm reduction website): http://www.dancesafe.org/slideshow/
Free radicals and antioxidants: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/antioxid.htm
5-HTP and MDMA (Erowid)
Piracetam (most of you have probably never heard of it): http://www.ds-health.com/pir_res.htm
SSRI's: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/antidepressants/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-ssris/menu-id-68/ ; abstract of article about fluoxetine's neuroprotective effect (couldn't find the full article): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...&ordinalpos=11
Read more: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108415#ixzz1cxeAAeB5"
My own personal post-roll regimen usually includes:
-1 to 2 MG Xanax or other short acting benzodiazepine.
-2 Capsules of good quality fish oil. Highly purified, quality liquid fish oil is recommended as well (ie. Nordic Naturals etc.) in the case of taking a liquid fish oil supplement , 2 tablespoons worth should do the trick for the stated purposes.
-2 500 mg Quercetin tablets. Quercetin is a high powered antioxidant that may prevent or ease oxidative stress during as well as after the MDMA experience. The brand I use (Source Naturals) also include fairly high doses of Vitamin C amongst other things. I take these before I drop and re-dose when coming down. When I pre-load with them it certainly seems to potentiate things. A recent example being 2 friends ate 2 of the same pills that I did and said that they didn't end up getting much out of it so they bought more pills. I however, was rolling face after popping two Quercetin tablets 30 minutes prior to dropping. I've read that this is due to quercetin changing the way MDMA is processed through certain enzyme activity. I'd like to see more research done on this front.
More Quercetin info:
from Wikipedia:
"Quercetin is a flavonoid widely distributed in nature. The name has been used since 1857, and is derived from quercetum (oak forest), after Quercus.[2][3] It is a naturally-occurring polar auxin transport inhibitor.[4]
Foods rich in quercetin include black and green tea (Camellia sinensis; 2000–2500 mg/kg), capers (1800 mg/kg),[5] lovage (1700 mg/kg), apples (44 mg/kg), onion, especially red onion (191 mg/kg) (higher concentrations of quercetin occur in the outermost rings[6]), red grapes, citrus fruit, tomato, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and a number of berries, including raspberry, bog whortleberry (158 mg/kg, fresh weight), lingonberry (cultivated 74 mg/kg, wild 146 mg/kg), cranberry (cultivated 83 mg/kg, wild 121 mg/kg), chokeberry (89 mg/kg), sweet rowan (85 mg/kg), rowanberry (63 mg/kg), sea buckthorn berry (62 mg/kg), crowberry (cultivated 53 mg/kg, wild 56 mg/kg),[7] and the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. A recent study found that organically grown tomatoes had 79% more quercetin than "conventionally grown".[8]
A study[9] by the University of Queensland, Australia has also indicated the presence of quercetin in varieties of honey, including honey derived from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.[10]"
It's always preferable to get vitamins and nutrients in their complex, natural state i.e. eating healthy nutrent-rich foods is preferable to popping supplements, though supplements can and do serve a multitude of purposes.
-1 Quality Adult 1 a day Multivitamin (to cover the rest of the gaps in vitamins and minerals and another agent in the fight against oxidative stress. I stress quality here as purchasing quality vitamin products is important. If you decide to go cheap and buy the Wal Mart generic brand, be forewarned that they have relatively poor bioavailability and oftentimes pass unabsorbed through the stool. A good brand should be taken with some food, and should dissolve completely in your small intestine.
-Stay Hydrated! and eat healthy! I prefer to drink power-ade or other sports drinks throughout the night to replace lost electrolytes and sometimes I have to remind myself to take breaks to prevent overexertion. It's important not to go overboard with the hydration either, a healthy balance must be found. try to listen to your body. After hours, I usually switch to straight water.If I've gone to a party/rave/club whatever I like to chill out and eat a bit of somewhat healthy food with decent amounts of proteins and other nutrients. Eating turkey or chicken can be healthy as they both contain L-Tryptophan, which may have neuro-protective properties as well. Eating high quality eggs and as many fruits/veggies as you can handle is always good as well. Try not to eat too much though. If you don;t have much of an appetite I suggest a whole food bar such as "Larabars" or "Cliff Bars". If I'm trying to chill out I'll brew myself up a cup of chamomile tea, which has some very soothing and relaxing properties to it. Ojibwe Native American herbal tea is also recommended as it can be cleansing and relaxing at the same time. It can easily be found at a nearby Whole Foods or regular grocery store.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Head On by The Jesus and Mary Chain
Not sure if I posted this before, but i've been listening to it lately.
"Ganja Guys" on youtube
So this 15 year old kid has a youtube channel featuring videos of him smoking weed using various methods. These are so unintentionally awkward and hilarious. I'm sort of transfixed by this video in the same way I would be if I were watching a midget tossing contest or something. Here's a few points of the video I've analyzed.
-Showing off his shitty acrylic bongs he probably bought at the gas station for 10 bucks apiece.
-His awkward friend who looks like he'd rather be anywhere but there....and the weird banter between the two.
-The sound he makes right before he hits the gasmask bong for the first time makes me want to bang my head against the wall.
- All the music in his videos consist of horrible played out top 40 countdown rap songs from 6 months ago. Apparently he has a huge crush on Lil Wayne.
- Waving around a quarter of schwag like it's dipped in gold or something.
-The best part of the whole video: His dad walks in while they're fumigating the room with schwag smoke and yells at him for not doing his chores.....he acts like a complete little fucking brat, calls his dad a nigger and starts talking shit to his dad in front of his friend. Your dad lets your 15 year old Mitch Kramer lookin' ass sit in your room and rip tubes all day and you have the nerve to act like that? What a choad.
I like to think I acted a bit cooler than this kid when I was his age, but I'm sure I was a fuckin' asshole too, I refuse to believe I was half as bad as this little buttfuck though. In a couple years he's definitely gonna wish he never made these videos.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Pound These Sounds.......
Bad Ass Deep Techno mix.
DJ::BASSHURTZ::VOL2||SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO by alfonzdelamota
1. cirez d | full stop
2. umek traumer | she never wants to come down
3. ahmet sendil koen groeneveld | turbo pop
4. taurus & vaggeli rmx | no techno in this room please
5. booka shade pan-pot rmx | regenerate
6. gesaffelstein | atmosphere
7. jan driver | gain reaction
8. joey beltram carl cox rmx | slice
9. ant brooks pete griffths | filtered
10. riva starr rmx | afterclub feat big ed
11. stereosoulsystem | beach connection
12. nikol claude | i dream for you
13. jamie anderson owain k | lime light
14. balcazar sordo | stealing beauty
15. dj dealer lisa millett | cool lovin ralf gum trippin dub
16. kornel lemon | after ten
17. paul kalkbrenner | platscher
18. phil & dan hector couto rmx | regulate
19. ron may | no jazz
DJ::BASSHURTZ::VOL2||SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO by alfonzdelamota
1. cirez d | full stop
2. umek traumer | she never wants to come down
3. ahmet sendil koen groeneveld | turbo pop
4. taurus & vaggeli rmx | no techno in this room please
5. booka shade pan-pot rmx | regenerate
6. gesaffelstein | atmosphere
7. jan driver | gain reaction
8. joey beltram carl cox rmx | slice
9. ant brooks pete griffths | filtered
10. riva starr rmx | afterclub feat big ed
11. stereosoulsystem | beach connection
12. nikol claude | i dream for you
13. jamie anderson owain k | lime light
14. balcazar sordo | stealing beauty
15. dj dealer lisa millett | cool lovin ralf gum trippin dub
16. kornel lemon | after ten
17. paul kalkbrenner | platscher
18. phil & dan hector couto rmx | regulate
19. ron may | no jazz
Friday, October 21, 2011
Divergent Spectrum
I realize a lot of my posts lately have veered off into electronic music/rave territory. While I don't want to alienate my core "audience" (if I even have one) of primarily hardcore kids and rockers.....I do this blog for myself more than anything else...and it it a reflection of me and my tastes and interests at various times in my life. It's not just a music blog to me, it's a culture and life blog...and real life doesn't consist of just one musical genre. SInce day one part of my mission was to express myself to the fullest while turning people on to some music they normally wouldn't hear. Maybe you hate jungle/house/edm etc....all I ask is that you keep an open mind and let me attempt to broaden some musical horizons. As I've always said, if I can introduce one person to a record or song that brings joy to, or has an impact on someones life, it's all worth it.....and I know of more than a few cases where I've done just that, from the letters of support I receive here and there. If you're digging, or have dug the blog....hit me up and let me know at KingCobra8291@yahoo.com tell me what you'd like to see more/less of....start a dialogue. After all, that's what this whole internet thing is for right?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Since I'm posting up jungle tracks.....
This is another favorite. I posted it on here a long time back, but decided it needs to be reposted due to serious badassness. Sounds particularly great with headphones as the fade in/fade out sounds really trippy. The rest of the jam is smooth as silk.
Congo Natty is the shit.
Raging Old School Techstep
I hope your computer has good speakers.....if not, this really can't be fully appreciated unless played on speakers that can handle deep low end bass. Decent speakers=Slammage.
Monday, October 17, 2011
This blog is cool.
Drug Punk Blog
An up and coming blog from a midwestern/chicago kid with pretty good taste. They also linked a Repos interview of mine which put them on my radar. Some posts veer off into a bit too much "mystery guy" youth attack type stuff, but there's lots of solid hardcore punk/garage punk/whatever music on here, and a local scene kid is behind it so it gets the Night Owl seal of approval. Keep doing what you're doing man. Sometimes blogging can seem like a thankless task, but if you can turn one kid on to some records they wouldn't normally hear it's all worth it.
An up and coming blog from a midwestern/chicago kid with pretty good taste. They also linked a Repos interview of mine which put them on my radar. Some posts veer off into a bit too much "mystery guy" youth attack type stuff, but there's lots of solid hardcore punk/garage punk/whatever music on here, and a local scene kid is behind it so it gets the Night Owl seal of approval. Keep doing what you're doing man. Sometimes blogging can seem like a thankless task, but if you can turn one kid on to some records they wouldn't normally hear it's all worth it.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
1 dude with a bat vs. 7 thugs
Dude's got balls! Treated those fucking lames. Gotta love the dude who's filming it too. YES! YESSSS! ahaha
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Walter Payton Does Nitrous?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/27/walterpayton.book/?xid=cnnbin
A new biography on the life of Walter Payton alleges that the NFL Hall of Famer numbed his maladies by robotically ingesting the painkiller Darvon during his playing days, was involved in extramarital dalliances and fell into a depressed state that included heavy self-medication after his NFL career ended in 1987.
Among the other revelations in Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, which Sports Illustrated is excerpting in this week's issue, author Jeff Pearlman (a former SI senior writer and current contributor to SI.com) says Payton frantically juggled his wife and girlfriend during his Hall of Fame weekend in Canton in July 1993.
Pearlman said he interviewed 678 people for the book, which he worked on for 2 ½ years. Sweetness chronicles Payton's life, from his childhood in segregated Mississippi, to his college years at Jackson State, to his 13-year NFL career and his post-Bears life. Payton had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare and deadly liver disease, and died in 1999 from bile duct cancer. (The painkiller Darvon, which was first approved in the 1950s, is an opioid narcotic used to treat mild to moderate pain. It has since been pulled by the market.)
In the book, Pearlman writes:
The burden of loneliness and his marriage weren't Payton's only problems. As a player he had numbed his maladies with pills and liquids, usually supplied by the Bears. Payton popped Darvon robotically during his playing days, says [his longtime agent Bud] Holmes, "I'd see him walk out of the locker room with jars of painkillers, and he'd eat them like they were a snack", and also lathered his body with dimethyl sulfoxide, a topical analgesic commonly used to treat horses. Now that he was retired, the self-medicating only intensified. Payton habitually ingested a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin. In a particularly embarrassing episode, in 1988, Payton visited a handful of dental offices, complaining of severe tooth pain. He received several prescriptions for morphine and hit up a handful of drugstores to have them filled. When one of the pharmacists noticed the activity, he contacted the police, who arrived at Payton's house and discussed the situation. Payton was merely issued a warning. "Walter was pounding his body with medication," says Holmes. "I wish I knew how bad it was, but at the time I really didn't."
READ THE EXCERPT FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
A Q&A WITH AUTHOR JEFF PEARLMAN
GALLERY: RARE PHOTOS OF WALTER PAYTON
The book reports that Payton often used nitrous oxide while he was playing and after he retired. Pearlman writes:
Back when Payton drove his own RV to Bears training camp, he used to load the rear of the vehicle with tanks of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. At nights and during breaks in the action, players sneaked into Payton's trailer, loaded the nitrous oxide into balloons, then carried them around while taking hits. The goofy laughter could be heard throughout the training facility.
Now retired, Payton turned to nitrous oxide more than ever. Large tanks occupied a corner of his garage, and he held a gas-filled balloon throughout portions of the day, taking joyous hits when the impulse struck.
The book says that Payton wrote to a friend that he contemplated suicide in his post-football career. Here is another passage from the excerpt:
On one particularly dark day in the mid-'90s, Payton wrote a friend a letter saying that Payton needed to get his life in order and was afraid of doing "something" he'd regret. In the note Payton admitted that he regularly contemplated suicide. Thinking about "the people I put into this f---ed-up situation," he wrote, "maybe it would be better if I just disappear." Payton said he imagined picking up his gun, murdering those around him, then turning the weapon on himself. "Every day something like this comes into my head," he wrote. He was distraught over these persistent thoughts about wanting to "hurt so many others" and not thinking "it is wrong." Payton ended the letter by admitting that he needed help but that he had nowhere to turn.
As for Payton's 23-year marriage to Connie, Pearlman says that "it was a union solely in name."
From the excerpt:
Walter's extramarital dalliances were becoming common knowledge throughout Chicago. He confided in those with whom he was close that when his children graduated from high school, he would divorce Connie [who declined to speak at length to the author] once and for all. "He didn't want the children to go through the rigors of a celebrity divorce," says Kimm Tucker, the executive director of Payton's charitable foundation. "He knew what the spotlight felt like when it was negative, and he hated the idea of Jarrett and Brittney experiencing any of that." Says his longtime friend Ron Atlas, "Walter knew that if he left Connie, all the work he'd done to his image would go by the wayside."
Shortly after he learned he'd been voted into the Hall of Fame, Payton spoke with Lita Gonzalez [not her real name], a New Jersey-based flight attendant with whom he'd been in a tempestuous relationship since they'd met at the Michael Spinks-Mike Tyson heavyweight title fight in Atlantic City in 1988. "I'm coming to the ceremony," Gonzalez said. "There's no way I'd miss it." The last thing Payton needed was to have his Hall of Fame weekend complicated and compromised. But Lita was coming, and she expected to be treated as his girlfriend. "She was insisting she be seated in the front row," says Tucker. "We said, 'Lita, are you insane? We're marketing this man as a family-friendly spokesperson. His whole image is based around decency. You will ruin him.
Pearlman said he wanted to write a book about "someone decent; about someone caring" following his Roger Clemens biography. "Walter Payton was insanely curious, and his interest in other people -- regular fans, folks on the street -- extended beyond the scope of nearly any athlete I've ever come across (Sean Casey the possible exception)," Pearlman said. "Best of all, Payton had depth. There was so much beneath the surface with this man. But that was also a problem. Because for all of his depth, Payton spent his life as a lockbox. He trusted very few people, and confided in -- at most -- three or four. The image out there when he played is the same one out there today: Classy guy, perfect in all areas, the ultimate role model, great running back and the ultimate prankster. And while that is, in many ways, sort of true, it's also a cheap, easy and unfair portrait."
Asked if he worried about facing a backlash for tarnishing the image of a deceased man, Pearlman said, "I sure do. It hurts me that this will hurt his kids. It really does because Jarrett and Brittney are wonderful, engaging, fun, caring people and they're really uplifting figures in the Chicago landscape ... That said, I set out to write a definitive biography -- period. When people would ask, 'Well, is this going to be positive?' I'd say, 'Not positive, not negative -- definitive.'"
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/27/walterpayton.book/index.html#ixzz1a2tjwKEj
A new biography on the life of Walter Payton alleges that the NFL Hall of Famer numbed his maladies by robotically ingesting the painkiller Darvon during his playing days, was involved in extramarital dalliances and fell into a depressed state that included heavy self-medication after his NFL career ended in 1987.
Among the other revelations in Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, which Sports Illustrated is excerpting in this week's issue, author Jeff Pearlman (a former SI senior writer and current contributor to SI.com) says Payton frantically juggled his wife and girlfriend during his Hall of Fame weekend in Canton in July 1993.
Pearlman said he interviewed 678 people for the book, which he worked on for 2 ½ years. Sweetness chronicles Payton's life, from his childhood in segregated Mississippi, to his college years at Jackson State, to his 13-year NFL career and his post-Bears life. Payton had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare and deadly liver disease, and died in 1999 from bile duct cancer. (The painkiller Darvon, which was first approved in the 1950s, is an opioid narcotic used to treat mild to moderate pain. It has since been pulled by the market.)
In the book, Pearlman writes:
The burden of loneliness and his marriage weren't Payton's only problems. As a player he had numbed his maladies with pills and liquids, usually supplied by the Bears. Payton popped Darvon robotically during his playing days, says [his longtime agent Bud] Holmes, "I'd see him walk out of the locker room with jars of painkillers, and he'd eat them like they were a snack", and also lathered his body with dimethyl sulfoxide, a topical analgesic commonly used to treat horses. Now that he was retired, the self-medicating only intensified. Payton habitually ingested a cocktail of Tylenol and Vicodin. In a particularly embarrassing episode, in 1988, Payton visited a handful of dental offices, complaining of severe tooth pain. He received several prescriptions for morphine and hit up a handful of drugstores to have them filled. When one of the pharmacists noticed the activity, he contacted the police, who arrived at Payton's house and discussed the situation. Payton was merely issued a warning. "Walter was pounding his body with medication," says Holmes. "I wish I knew how bad it was, but at the time I really didn't."
READ THE EXCERPT FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
A Q&A WITH AUTHOR JEFF PEARLMAN
GALLERY: RARE PHOTOS OF WALTER PAYTON
The book reports that Payton often used nitrous oxide while he was playing and after he retired. Pearlman writes:
Back when Payton drove his own RV to Bears training camp, he used to load the rear of the vehicle with tanks of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. At nights and during breaks in the action, players sneaked into Payton's trailer, loaded the nitrous oxide into balloons, then carried them around while taking hits. The goofy laughter could be heard throughout the training facility.
Now retired, Payton turned to nitrous oxide more than ever. Large tanks occupied a corner of his garage, and he held a gas-filled balloon throughout portions of the day, taking joyous hits when the impulse struck.
The book says that Payton wrote to a friend that he contemplated suicide in his post-football career. Here is another passage from the excerpt:
On one particularly dark day in the mid-'90s, Payton wrote a friend a letter saying that Payton needed to get his life in order and was afraid of doing "something" he'd regret. In the note Payton admitted that he regularly contemplated suicide. Thinking about "the people I put into this f---ed-up situation," he wrote, "maybe it would be better if I just disappear." Payton said he imagined picking up his gun, murdering those around him, then turning the weapon on himself. "Every day something like this comes into my head," he wrote. He was distraught over these persistent thoughts about wanting to "hurt so many others" and not thinking "it is wrong." Payton ended the letter by admitting that he needed help but that he had nowhere to turn.
As for Payton's 23-year marriage to Connie, Pearlman says that "it was a union solely in name."
From the excerpt:
Walter's extramarital dalliances were becoming common knowledge throughout Chicago. He confided in those with whom he was close that when his children graduated from high school, he would divorce Connie [who declined to speak at length to the author] once and for all. "He didn't want the children to go through the rigors of a celebrity divorce," says Kimm Tucker, the executive director of Payton's charitable foundation. "He knew what the spotlight felt like when it was negative, and he hated the idea of Jarrett and Brittney experiencing any of that." Says his longtime friend Ron Atlas, "Walter knew that if he left Connie, all the work he'd done to his image would go by the wayside."
Shortly after he learned he'd been voted into the Hall of Fame, Payton spoke with Lita Gonzalez [not her real name], a New Jersey-based flight attendant with whom he'd been in a tempestuous relationship since they'd met at the Michael Spinks-Mike Tyson heavyweight title fight in Atlantic City in 1988. "I'm coming to the ceremony," Gonzalez said. "There's no way I'd miss it." The last thing Payton needed was to have his Hall of Fame weekend complicated and compromised. But Lita was coming, and she expected to be treated as his girlfriend. "She was insisting she be seated in the front row," says Tucker. "We said, 'Lita, are you insane? We're marketing this man as a family-friendly spokesperson. His whole image is based around decency. You will ruin him.
Pearlman said he wanted to write a book about "someone decent; about someone caring" following his Roger Clemens biography. "Walter Payton was insanely curious, and his interest in other people -- regular fans, folks on the street -- extended beyond the scope of nearly any athlete I've ever come across (Sean Casey the possible exception)," Pearlman said. "Best of all, Payton had depth. There was so much beneath the surface with this man. But that was also a problem. Because for all of his depth, Payton spent his life as a lockbox. He trusted very few people, and confided in -- at most -- three or four. The image out there when he played is the same one out there today: Classy guy, perfect in all areas, the ultimate role model, great running back and the ultimate prankster. And while that is, in many ways, sort of true, it's also a cheap, easy and unfair portrait."
Asked if he worried about facing a backlash for tarnishing the image of a deceased man, Pearlman said, "I sure do. It hurts me that this will hurt his kids. It really does because Jarrett and Brittney are wonderful, engaging, fun, caring people and they're really uplifting figures in the Chicago landscape ... That said, I set out to write a definitive biography -- period. When people would ask, 'Well, is this going to be positive?' I'd say, 'Not positive, not negative -- definitive.'"
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/27/walterpayton.book/index.html#ixzz1a2tjwKEj
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Huge fucking track!
So sick. People into Dubstep need to go back and listen to this shit, without old school jungle the Dubstep genre wouldn't exist. I remember rocking to this in high school playing it off the one side-labeled tape I bought at Gramaphone records. Ok enough "back in the day shit" just enjoy this tune and if you have good speakers turn them bitches up!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saw this last friday...
LTJ Bukem live in session at Metro with MIA crew spinning drum and bass as well downstairs in Smartbar.
Saw this set downstairs at Smartbar as well, Danny the Wild Child with MC Question Mark.
Saw this set downstairs at Smartbar as well, Danny the Wild Child with MC Question Mark.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Misogyny is alive and well at Calvillo Auto Repair.
So my car broke down in the middle of the hood one time and literally rolled up and died right next to this sketchy auto repair shop on W. Cermak. I took a copy of their business card, and when looking at it noticed it's attitude towards women was a bit ermmm outdated. Here's a scan of the original card so you can decide for yourself.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Viva Pistola!
Why is guerilla chieftain Alonzo Xavier Ernesto Miguel de Marijuano filled with joy? Apparently he and his muchachos have been puffing on his misshapen penis bong all day in between guerilla raids!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Vintage High TImes Travel Guide
In the late 70's when High Times Magazine was at it's peak, they branched out into a couple different mags. One was a World news type (which the name escapes me right now), the other was a grassroots travel magazine called "Nomad". They included a "sneak preview edition" in the back of the July '78 issue, which I'm posting up right now everyone's enjoyment. They cover hitchhiking, and budget travel to Japan, The Himalayas, and the island of Lamu amongst other things and include some beautiful photography. Check it out.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
New Wave/World End Update
Due to some drama with the person who brought me into the production crew, I'm no longer affiliated with World End Productions or the New Wave Experience Party. Shit sucks cuz I already started promoting a decent amount for it, but shit happens.
Monday, August 22, 2011
High Style
Here's a quick one from the July 1978 issue of High TImes. It's sort of a pictorial of some familiar characters (Stiv Bators, David Johannson, Alan Vega of Suicide, and others) from the Lower East side of Manhattan in the late 70's. Dig it.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tried that "Bath Salt" shit yesterday....
I wanted to try it before they made it illegal. It was like bad speed with a crack comedown (ok maybe that's exaggerating a bit). I just did an average sized line.....felt good for about 15 minutes, then crashed for about a half hour. I eventually leveled out but I got in at midnight, tried to go to sleep and couldn't get there til' about 6 AM. I got up at like 10:30 AM after some very dodgy quality sleep, even after popping 20 mg melatonin. I still feel a little tweaked. My opinion on this stuff is that people should do drugs where at least the all the side-effects and long term effects/risks are somewhat known. There really hasn't been any research on these chemicals (mephedrone, 4-mec, mppp amongst many others)....so you're basically a guinea pig for all these research chemicals. Stick with real drugs or better yet don't do drugs at all.
PS: Look what it's done to me so far...I went from posting Lil Wayne to Charles Manson in less than 24 hours.
PS: Look what it's done to me so far...I went from posting Lil Wayne to Charles Manson in less than 24 hours.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sick ass house mix
http://soundcloud.com/markonetorres/mark-one-torres-this-is-house
shit's badass, especially pounding on some huge speakers.
shit's badass, especially pounding on some huge speakers.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Hollywood Brats
Bio (taken from Starpulse.com):
Like a less famous British cousin of the New York Dolls, the Hollywood Brats also had a taste for feather boas, glitter, and tough rock & roll played with rough-and-tumble abandon. Although they only recorded one full-length album that was not released until after they had broken up, the band is recognized as a pioneer of punk.
The first incarnation of the Hollywood Brats surfaced in London in 1971 when singer Andrew Matheson, Norwegian keyboard player Casino Steel, and drummer Lou Sparks began playing regular gigs as the Queen. When Freddie Mercury's band of the same name came on the scene, the original Queens wouldn't let him strong-arm them into a name change until his outfit scored a hit and they were forced to adopt a new handle, becoming the Hollywood Brats. In 1972, guitarist Eunan Brady came on board after meeting Matheson through his Melody Maker ad seeking a guitarist "drunk on scotch and Keith Richards"; with Wayne Manor on bass, the lineup for this raucous glam rock unit was in place. The band crashed and burned their way through regular live sets in the summer of 1973, when their flamboyant makeup and female attire, à la the New York Dolls and David Bowie, and attitude-laden bluesy rock began to attract a following. As Brady recalled in his liner notes for the 1999 Cherry Red Records re-release of the band's album, "The whole point of the Brats was to annoy and disturb!" Championed by Keith Moon, the band landed a deal with NEMS Records and recorded an album of pure rock fun with fuzzy, garage-flavored guitar solos, cowbell accents, and snotty lyrics populated with gold diggers and tramps. No label wanted to touch the finished product, however, and the recording languished until Mercury Records released the material as Grown Up Wrong in 1975, and Cherry Red Records issued their single "Then He Kissed Me" in 1979 and re-released the full-length album in 1980. But the band had self-destructed years earlier, with Matheson going on to record with Tools and Wreckless Eric's Last Orders, and Steel joining London SS briefly before Mat Dangerfield grabbed him to form the Boys in 1976.
I've been a fan of The Brats since I was a teenager, I recently came back and started listening to more UK '77/Glam/Raw Rock and Roll kind of stuff, this one is a true underrated gem that flies under a lot of people's radars. The lyrics are pure teenage sleaze and coupled with their brand of straightforward, scrappy, glammed out NY Dollsy tunes make for a potent rock and roll recipe. I didn't realize until recently that out of the ashes of this band came the venerable "The Boys" and they do a stompy rendition of "Sick on You"...which also went on to be one of the best Boys songs. This band is brimming with attitude and great riffs (along with cool sounding raw production) and needs to be accorded their proper respect. Their first record was recorded in 1973, but somehow didn't get released until 1980 on Get Back Records. Here it is for your enjoyment:
1. Chez Maximes
2. Another Schoole Day
3. Nightmare
4. Empty Bottles
5. Courtesan
6. Then He Kissed Me
7. Tumble With Me
8. Zurich 17 (Be My Baby)
9. Southern Belles
10. Drowning Sorrows
11. Sick on You
Download Here
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Paul Kirchner and Dope Rider
I scanned and posted a comic strip called "Dope Rider" which came from an old High Times awhile back. I was sifting through posts a moment ago and realized that Paul Kirchner the man behind the dope rider strip had posted a link to his blog. I found it very entertaining to read other Dope Rider comics and hearing about the creative process in coming up with them. You can check out his blog here:
http://thedoperider.blogspot.com/
http://thedoperider.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 26, 2011
One of my favorite authors.
Not a lot of poets speak in a language that really reach out and grab me. Jim Carroll's work does. RIP.
The Equal Marriage Rights Bill Passed in NYC Last Night......
The Night Owl Blog stands behind Senator Saland's courageous and historic change of vote. This is a step in the right direction to an America where politicians aren't allowed to legislate their own brand of morality on the people of this country.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
American Gods
For you Night Owl Shoegaze aficianados, this up and coming band American Gods have been putting out some real good shit lately. I reviewed their Chariot The Ghost LP awhile back which I really enjoyed. Here's a new sort of melancholy track they put out called "Chrous of Whispers":
http://soundcloud.com/american-gods/chorus-of-whispers
http://soundcloud.com/american-gods/chorus-of-whispers
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
These are so good.
Breakfast Best Cinnamon French Toast sticks. Find them at your nearest Aldi's, they are absolutely delicious and consumed with ice cream, rise to a whole new level of flavorful decadence.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
High Times Scan: Dub Culture
This one is from the August 1978 issue of High Times magazine. Notice the ad for "Clippy's" disposable roach clips below an ad for some type of fancy lamp and it doesn't seem to be a grow lamp either (EDIT: Ok nevermind it does seem to be some sort of a smoking contraption. People were a lot more creative with their drug paraphernalia back in the 70's.)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Broke 30,000 views
Another Night Owl milestone. Thank you for all the positive feedback I've received, I hope I can make this blog into something people want to keep checking back on. I basically post up anything I think is cool/rocks along with show and record reviews, interviews, random anecdotes, and other various tidings. Music means everything to me and has helped me through a lot of tough times, so if I can share what I'm into and get even one person to check out a band that brings a smile to their face or makes their life less difficult to deal with, then my mission has succeeded. I know that sounds cheesy but it's the truth. Keep checking back and don't forget to comment if you see something you like. I like to know who digs what so I know the kind of stuff people like to see posted, it's also a tangible way to see that people are checking out and absorbing some of the stuff I post.
Anyways, keep it real...
-#'s
Anyways, keep it real...
-#'s
Gentleman Jesse and His Men-I Don't Wanna Know 7"
Excellent power pop out of Atlanta, GA. They've been around for awhile, this is the first EP they released if I'm not mistaken. Catchy songs that will definitely be sticking around in your head for awhile. Again, thanks to the Ramone to the Bone Blog. Highly recommended!
1. Gentleman Jesse – I Don’t Wanna Know (Where You Been Tonight) (2:35)
2. Gentleman Jesse – Going Outta My Mind (1:44)
3. Gentleman Jesse – No Rest (For the Wicked) (2:02
Download Here
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Summer's Here...
......and I've been listening to lots of pop punk some of the best of which I'll be posting up soon. For now here's a couple awesome EP's. Thanks to the Ramone to the Bone blog of which i'll be linking shortly.
Not so into the Darlingtons side, but these two Highschool Dropouts tracks are balls to the wall Ramones style pop punk. Great stuff.
1. highschool dropouts - (i don't wanna be)locked in a sanitarium (1:47)
2. highschool dropouts - the kids are ready to go (1:54)
3. darlington - goldschlager (2:16)
4. darlington - jim beam (3:25)
Download Here
All female pop punk. Cool sound.
1. Baby Shakes - Tell Me Now (2:28)
2. Baby Shakes - Come On Babe (2:44)
3. Baby Shakes - Baby It's You (3:01)
Download Here
Not so into the Darlingtons side, but these two Highschool Dropouts tracks are balls to the wall Ramones style pop punk. Great stuff.
1. highschool dropouts - (i don't wanna be)locked in a sanitarium (1:47)
2. highschool dropouts - the kids are ready to go (1:54)
3. darlington - goldschlager (2:16)
4. darlington - jim beam (3:25)
Download Here
All female pop punk. Cool sound.
1. Baby Shakes - Tell Me Now (2:28)
2. Baby Shakes - Come On Babe (2:44)
3. Baby Shakes - Baby It's You (3:01)
Download Here
Friday, June 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Urban Exploration
A few months back, my friend John and some of his friends and I went to explore this huge abandoned factory on the Southside of Chicago right off the I-55. While his friends shot some scenes for their zombie movie (of which I play a zombie at one point, there are pictures of that shoot in the blog archives), I wandered around the factory very carefully, as there were many frightful dropoffs, holes in the floor, weak stairs etc. Some of the graffiti was impressive, there is tons and tons of artwork here that I'd like to eventually document. Hopefully I'll be getting a digital camera soon, disposable polaroids do have a sort of gritty charm to them though. On the way out we met a few natives who were 2 scruffy guys who lived in the crumbly smaller building which can be seen from above in one of the pictures (and kind of shows the scale of things and how high up we really were). They were good dudes and told us a few stories about the origin of the buildings....which I've of course forgotten since then which kind of sucks because they put a lot of things about the buildings into context. In the same picture mentioned above with the smaller adjacent building, there is an interesting juxtaposition of the run down building with the brand new looking factory warehouse next door.
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